Edmonia Lewis Center

About the ELC

The Edmonia Lewis Center for Women and Transgender People is a collective of students, staff and administrators doing the work of transforming existing systems of oppression based on sex, gender, race, class, sexuality, age, ability, size, religion, nationality, ethnicity and language. We recognize that these systems are interconnected and that our work must be multifaceted. We examine these connections as we create and maintain safe space, initiate and fund programming, and serve as a resource for the Oberlin College community. We strive to maintain a space that will allow us to support and advocate for those disenfranchised on the basis of gender: cisgender* women and transgender people. The purpose of the ELC is to be a part of the struggles for social justice worldwide.

* cisgender is a term that describes a person whose gender identity is the same as the one they were assigned at birth. We use this term rather than “non-transgender” because we consider both cisgender and transgender different ways of being gendered, rather than privileging one experience of gender as more “normal.” We also consider it important to specify that we are a space for cisgender women and transgender people of all genders, transgender women included.

ELC Application

Complete the application if you are interested in living in the ELC. This housing is by application only. Once you submit your application, the faculty and staff in charge of that housing will review it and rank it for room selection. Some housing also requires an interview prior to the ranking/placement process. 

You may apply to both programs but will only be permitted to select housing in one. Students applying to the ELC must meet the residency requirements for village housing. Students may apply at any time. Priority in the application and selection process will be given to those students who meet the published deadlines; placement will be determined by the availability of space.